Twenty-year-old Pyla Avinash is gearing up for his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Punjab Kings, adding another promising young talent to the franchise’s roster. Known for its strong scouting system, Punjab Kings identified Avinash’s potential in domestic cricket and secured him in the IPL 2025 auction.
Ashish Tuli, General Manager for Cricketing Operations at Punjab Kings, highlighted the meticulous scouting process that led to Avinash’s selection. “Our attention was drawn to his power-hitting abilities in a domestic T20 tournament, but we had been tracking his progress for a while,” Tuli said. “Our scouting network is extensive, covering state leagues and BCCI tournaments to spot emerging talent at the right time.”
Inspired by Ricky Ponting, Ready to Train Under Him
Avinash, a right-handed middle-order batter from Visakhapatnam, grew up idolizing Ricky Ponting, watching his iconic pull shots on YouTube for motivation. Now, in a twist of fate, he will be training under the Australian legend, who has taken over as the head coach of Punjab Kings.
“He is a legend. Watching his batting inspired me. Now, getting the chance to train under him is a dream come true,” said Avinash.
Journey from Domestic Cricket to IPL
Avinash’s cricket journey began at 13, influenced by his brother, who played at the U-19 and U-23 levels for Andhra Pradesh. He gained recognition in a local T20 tournament last year when he smashed 11 sixes in a 226-run chase, including five in a single over. Although his team fell short by just one run, his explosive 105* off 58 balls caught the attention of scouts.
“That inning changed my life. It made people notice me and helped me reach where I am today,” Avinash recalled.
His performance earned him a place in Andhra’s squad for the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he made an immediate impact by scoring a fifty on debut against Mumbai.
Punjab Kings’ IPL 2025 Campaign
Avinash is now preparing to don the Punjab Kings jersey as the team kicks off their IPL 2025 campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 25 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With his aggressive batting style and a mentor like Ponting, the young cricketer is eager to leave his mark on the biggest T20 stage.